All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should have regular cervical screening appointments.
Cervical screening (a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina. It’s not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer.
Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer. Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer.
When you’ll be invited
From July 2025, the NHS screening invitation process is changing. Younger women (aged 25 to 49) who test negative for HPV, meaning they are at very low risk of cervical cancer over the next 10 years, will safely be invited at 5-year intervals rather than 3, in line with major clinical evidence.
Those whose sample indicates the presence of HPV or who have a recent history of HPV, which causes nearly all cervical cancers, will continue to be invited to more frequent screenings to check HPV has cleared and if not, if any cell changes have developed.
The move follows a recommendation by the UK National Screening Committee, and is the approach already used for women aged 50 to 64 in England.
When you’ll be invited for cervical screening
| Chart showing age range and when you’ll be invited for screening (if previous smear is normal) | |
| Age | When you’re invited |
| under 25 | up to 6 months before you turn 25 |
| 25 to 49 | every 5 years |
| 50 to 64 | every 5 years |
| 65 or older | only if 1 of your last 3 tests was abnormal |
You can book an appointment as soon as you are invited.
If you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait for a letter to book an appointment.
When cervical screening is not recommended
- If you’re under 25
You will not be invited for cervical screening until you’re 25 because:
- cervical cancer is very rare in people under 25
- it might lead to having treatment you do not need – abnormal cell changes often go back to normal in younger women
- If you’re 65 or older
- You’ll usually stop being invited for screening once you turn 65. This is because it’s very unlikely that you’ll get cervical cancer.
You’ll only be invited again if 1 of your last 3 tests was abnormal.
If you’re 65 or older and have never been for cervical screening or have not had cervical screening since the age of 50, you can ask your GP for a test.
- If you have had a total hysterectomy
You will not need to go for cervical screening if you have had a total hysterectomy to remove all of your womb and cervix. You should not receive any more screening invitation letters.
How to book
You’ll be sent an invitation via the NHS app, SMS message or receive letter in the post when it’s time to book your cervical screening appointment.
Most cervical screening is done in a GP surgery by a female nurse.
Call the surgery on 01524 843333 to book an appointment, or check our online bookable appointments for availability. Please inform a member of the reception team when booking, if you would like a chaperone.
When to book cervical screening
Try to book your appointment as soon as you get invited. If you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait for a letter.
It’s best to book an appointment for a time when:
- you’re not having a period – also try to avoid the 2 days before or after you bleed (if you do not have periods, you can book any time)
- you have finished treatment if you have unusual vaginal discharge or a pelvic infection.
- At least 3 calendar months after giving birth or after a termination of pregnancy or gynaecological procedure.
- If you are advised to attend for a test after a colposcopy procedure, for example “6 months after procedure”, please attend for smear at least 6 calendar months after your procedure or your sample will be rejected by the laboratories.
What happens at your appointment
During cervical screening a small sample of cells is taken from your cervix for testing.
The test itself should take less than 5 minutes. The whole appointment should take about 10-15 minutes.
It’s usually done by a female nurse.
Before starting, they should explain what will happen during the test and answer any questions you have.
How cervical screening is done
You’ll need to undress, behind a screen, from the waist down. You’ll be given a sheet to put over you.
The nurse will ask you to lie back on a bed, usually with your legs bent, feet together and knees apart. Sometimes you may need to change position during the test.
They’ll gently put a smooth, tube-shaped tool (a speculum) into your vagina. A small amount of lubricant may be used.
The nurse will open the speculum so they can see your cervix.
Using a soft brush, they’ll take a small sample of cells from your cervix.
The nurse will close and remove the speculum and leave you to get dressed.
Your results
Your cervical screening results are usually sent to you in a letter. Sometimes you may be asked to call us to get the results.
The nurse who does your cervical screening will tell you when you can expect your results letter.
If you have waited longer than you expected, call the surgery to see if they have any updates.
Try not to worry if it is taking a long time to get your results letter.
It does not mean anything is wrong, and most people will have a normal result.
What your results mean
Your results letter will explain what was tested for and what your results mean.
Sometimes you’ll be asked to come back in 3 months to have the test again. This does not mean there’s anything wrong, it’s because the results were unclear. This is sometimes called an inadequate result.
Further information:
Call the surgery if you have questions about cervical screening invitations, results or any symptoms you have. You may need more help and support with cervical screening for many reasons. More information is available on the NHS website or Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.
Further help and support for cervical screening – NHS – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
For more information on the changes from July 2025 please visit – NHS England » Cervical Screening Changes
Click here to access their Easy Read booklet: Having a smear test. What is it about?
Opting out of the Cervical Screening Programme
If you do not wish to have a cervical smear, you can opt out for up to 18 months at any one time. To do this you will need to write to us at the practice or alternatively you can complete the online form: Cervical-Screening-Programme-Deferral-1-1.docx. and send this into us.
If you wish to opt out permanently, please visit the Patients – NHS Cervical Screening Administration Service web page to download and submit the opt out form or alternatively you can download and bring this into the practice.